It’s time for another beauty review! I’ve spent the past three months almost exclusively using skincare products from the Stella McCartney Beauty range, and I thought it about time for a review. I was originally gifted these products to celebrate Earth Day, and have since gone on to use them morning and night. So, is the range worth the spend? And how does it compare to similar products by Dr. Barbara Sturm, Susanne Kaufmann, and more?
Who Is Stella McCartney?
You probably already know Stella McCartney as a fashion designer, but who is she in the context of beauty? Stella McCartney has been promoting animal rights and environmentalism through her eponymous label since 2001, and launched Stella McCartney Beauty in 2022. Both brands exist as Maisons in the LVMH portfolio.
Stella McCartney Beauty echoes the same values as the fashion brand: cruelty-free, luxury, and vegan. The brand is a self-proclaimed “responsible alternative to luxury skincare”, and has trademarked this approach as Alter-Care™.
Stella McCartney Beauty, Reviewed
Reset Cleanser
I don’t dream of cleansers, but if I did, this would be the cleanser of my dreams. The Reset Cleanser ticks every box: light, creamy, lightly scented, no foam, and the power to take off makeup when used with a reusable cotton round. When I’ve been travelling, I’ve used a different cleanser and it’s left me craving to return home to use this one. That in itself is the mark of a good cleanser! It’s so gentle yet effective, and leaves my sensitive, dehydrated skin feeling comfortable after washing. It’s full marks from me – but for the price tag, it really should be.
Alter-Care Serum
Onto the Alter-Care Serum. This was the first empty of the three Stella McCartney Beauty products I was gifted, and honestly I felt a little sad as it spluttered out the final dregs. Like the Reset Cleanser, it has a light, cream texture that smooths onto the skin easily. You only need one pump to do the whole face. It sinks in flawlessly and again, ticks all my boxes without fuss. Gentle, hydrating, and makes me feel treated with each due to its discreet floral scent.
Restore Cream Moisturiser
The final product of the three, the Stella McCartney Restore Cream moisturiser does a good job at locking in all the benefits of the products layered before it. It strikes a careful balance between being a hydrating yet light formula, sinking into my skin quickly while being a light, thin consistency. It’s a high quality product, and has been perfect for the summer. In colder months, I like a heavier cream – especially at night – but this one is a perfect all-rounder, and I suspect it has been developed to have that mass appeal, and be effective for all skin types.
My Overall Rating: 7/10
I am a self-confessed luxury skincare junkie, and Stella McCartney Beauty was on my wishlist to try for a while. Did it live up to the hype? Yes and no. Let me explain. Yes it lives up to the hype, when viewed through the right framing. If you see this beauty range an extension of the kind, green Stella McCartney fashion house, rather than an expert skincare range, it’s a strong 7/10, maybe even 8/10. However, if you’re looking for skincare that treats specific skin concerns or focuses on specialist ingredients, this range isn’t for you.
Don’t get me wrong – Stella McCartney Beauty will look after your skin. It’ll make you feel pampered. And it’ll be a little lighter on the Earth, compared to some similar beauty brands. However, Stella McCartney Beauty is not a specialist skincare brand, and therefore I’d recommend it alongside brands like Susanne Kaufmann (which at a slightly lower price point is well worth looking at), as opposed to Dr. Barbara Sturm or Bioeffect.
For this reason, I do wish the range was slightly more affordable. It’s a great starter set to sustainable skincare, at a less-than-affordable starter price. I would also like to see an SPF added to the range, to make it really well rounded.
Stella McCartney Beauty is available on Space NK*.
